Electronic apparatus

ABSTRACT

The embodiments relate to an electronic apparatus having a connector. The electronic apparatus includes a main circuit board configured to have a first face on which a through hole penetrating through the main circuit board is formed and a second face on which the through hole is formed; the connector mounted on the first face; and a supporter including a supporting portion for supporting the connector on the first face of the main circuit board, and a fixing portion having a screw hole overlapping the through hole on a side of the second face, wherein the supporter is fixed to the main circuit board by a screw inserted from a side of the first face into the screw hole while the connector is supported by the supporter.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a U.S. continuation application filed under 35 USC111a and 365c of PCT application PCT/JP2009/057535, filed on Apr. 14,2009. The foregoing application is hereby incorporated herein byreference.

FIELD

The embodiments discussed herein relates to an electronic apparatusincluding a circuit board having a connector.

BACKGROUND

In an example notebook type personal computer (hereinafter, referred toas a notebook PC), a connector is provided on a surface of a circuitboard, and the connector is arranged immediately inside an openingformed on a side surface of the notebook PC. The connector is to beconnected to an external connector on the circuit board. In this case,the external connector is inserted into or extracted from the connectorby a user. Therefore, the external connector is not always inserted intoor extracted from the connector with required minimum force in a rightdirection and may be inserted into or extracted from the connector withexcessive force in an oblique direction. To make the circuit boardwithstand the excessive force or the oblique insertion and extraction,the connector may be fixed to the circuit board using a supporter or thefixed connector may be reinforced with a supporter on the circuit board.In this case, it is necessary to fix the supporter itself to the circuitboard. For example, the supporter is screwed to a member adjacent to theconnector. In this case, the layout of the circuit board may berestricted in arranging the member adjacent to the connector. Meanwhile,if the supporter has an extended arm for screwing to the member apartfrom the supporter, it becomes necessary to provide an additional spaceinside the casing. In this case, a requirement for miniaturization isnot satisfied.

These are disclosed in Japanese Laid-open Utility Model Publication No.59-090182, Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2008-294024, andJapanese Laid-open Utility Model Publication No. 5-78607.

SUMMARY

According to an aspect of the embodiments, an electronic apparatus ofthe embodiment includes a main circuit board, a connector, and asupporter. The main circuit board has a first surface, a second surface,and a through hole penetrating through the first surface and the secondsurface. The connector is mounted on the first surface of the maincircuit board. The supporter has a supporting portion and a fixingportion. The supporting portion supports the connector mounted on thefirst surface of the main circuit board. The fixing portion extends tothe second surface of the main circuit board as if clamping the maincircuit board and has a screw hole overlapping the through hole formedin the main circuit board. The supporter is fixed to the main circuitboard by a screw inserted into the screw hole and the through hole fromthe first surface side while the connecter is supported by thesupporter.

The object and advantages of the invention will be realized and attainedby means of the elements and combinations particularly pointed out inthe appended claims.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description andthe following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and arenot restrictive of the invention as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a notebook PC in a closed state;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the notebook PC of FIG. 1 in an openedstate;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a right side surface of thenotebook in the opened state;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a left side surface of thenotebook in the opened state;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a bottom surface of thenotebook PC in the closed state;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating the bottom surface of thenotebook in the closed state which is viewed from a different angle;

FIG. 7 is a view of an opening of a battery housing on the bottomsurface of a computing unit where a battery is removed;

FIG. 8 illustrates a removed battery which is turned upside down;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged perspective view of an extending portion coveringan HDD unit and adjacent portions thereto;

FIG. 10 illustrates an HDD unit accommodated in an opening of an HDDunit housing;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a lid which is removed from the openingof the HDD unit housing;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the inside of the lid;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the opening of the HDD unit housingafter the HDD unit is removed;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the opening of the HDD unit housingviewed from a different angle after removing the HDD unit;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the HDD unit;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the HDD unit viewed from a differentangle;

FIG. 17 illustrates the bottom surface of the HDD unit;

FIG. 18 is an exploded perspective view of the HDD unit separated intothe HDD body and a cover member;

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the cover member of the HDD unit;

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the cover member of the HDD unit viewedfrom a different angle;

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the cover member of the HDD unit viewedfrom a further different angle;

FIG. 22 illustrates the notebook PC from which a cover member on anupper side of the computing unit and a speaker are removed;

FIG. 23 is an enlarged perspective view of a speaker area on the leftside of the notebook PC;

FIG. 24 is an enlarged perspective view of the speaker area on the rightside of the notebook PC;

FIG. 25 is a perspective view of the speaker viewed from a back surfaceside of the notebook PC;

FIG. 26 is an enlarged perspective view of the notebook PC in which thespeaker is mounted on the speaker area on the left side of the notebookPC;

FIG. 27 is an enlarged perspective view of the notebook PC in which thespeaker is mounted on the speaker area on the right side of the notebookPC;

FIG. 28 illustrates an upper surface of the computing unit from whichthe cover member covering the speaker and a key board are removed;

FIG. 29 illustrates the upper surface side of the computing unitillustrated in FIG. 28 from which the speakers are removed;

FIG. 30 illustrates the back surface side of an upper cover used also asa base plate for supporting the speakers;

FIG. 31 is an enlarged perspective view illustrating a supporterprovided on the back face of the upper cover;

FIG. 32 is an enlarged perspective view of the supporter on its uppersurface side where the supporter is removed from the front face cover;

FIG. 33 is a perspective view illustrating inner faces of two operationsbuttons sandwiching a fingerprint sensor where the supporter attached tothe main circuit board is removed;

FIG. 34 is an enlarged view of the inner face of a right operationsbutton;

FIG. 35 is an enlarged view of the inner face of a left operationsbutton;

FIG. 36 is a perspective view of the computing unit from which the uppercover is removed;

FIG. 37 is a perspective view of a main circuit board;

FIG. 38 is an enlarged perspective view of a connector for a powersource on a side illustrated in FIG. 37 of the main circuit board;

FIG. 39 is an enlarged perspective view of the power connector for thepower source on the side illustrated in FIG. 37 of the main circuitboard viewed from a different angle;

FIG. 40 is an enlarged perspective view of the power connector on a sideopposite to the side illustrated in FIG. 37 of the main circuit board;

FIG. 41 is a perspective view of the power connector alone;

FIG. 42 is a perspective view of the supporter;

FIG. 43 is a perspective view of the supporter viewed from a differentangle;

FIG. 44 is a perspective view of an assembly of the power connector andthe supporter;

FIG. 45 is a perspective view of the first surface of the main circuitboard from which a heat dissipating module is removed;

FIG. 46 is a perspective view of an inside of a bottom surface coverafter the main circuit board is removed;

FIG. 47 is a perspective view of the heat dissipating module;

FIG. 48 is a perspective view of the heat dissipating module which isplaced at a predetermined position while the heat dissipating module isremoved from the main circuit board;

FIG. 49 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line X-X of FIG. 48;

FIG. 50 illustrates an unhook button protruding from an upper surface ofthe display unit (a front end surface);

FIG. 51 illustrates the pushed unhook button;

FIG. 52 is a cross-sectional view of the hook and the unhook button;

FIG. 53 illustrates a comparative example of FIG. 52;

FIG. 54 is a perspective view of an inner face of the front cover of thedisplay unit;

FIG. 55 is an enlarged perspective view of a hook structure includingthe hook on the inner face of the front cover;

FIG. 56 is an exploded perspective view of the hook structure;

FIG. 57A is plan view of a face on a hook holder side of the second hookmember;

FIG. 57B is a plan view of a face on a first hook member side of thesecond hook member;

FIG. 58A is a perspective view of the face on the hook holder side ofthe second hook member; and

FIG. 58B is a perspective view of the face on the first hook member sideof the second hook member in.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Although it may be possible to directly screw the supporter to themember such as the main circuit board in the above, to which theconnector is fixed, it is difficult to form a screw hole in the maincircuit board without providing special processing such as embedding ofa metallic pipe having the screw hole in the main circuit board.Further, in fixing the supporter to the main circuit board, anadditional part may be used. For example, a plate having a screw holemay be inserted among the specially processed part, the main circuitboard and the supporter.

A description is given below, with reference to FIG. 1 through FIG. 58Bof Embodiments of the present invention.

(Outer Appearance)

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a notebook type personal computer(notebook PC) of an Embodiment of an electronic apparatus where a coveris closed. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the notebook PC of FIG. 1where the cover is opened. FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 are perspective views ofthe notebook PC in the opened state which is viewed from right and leftside surfaces. FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 are perspective views illustrating thebottom surface of the notebook PC in the closed state taken fromdifferent angles.

Referring to FIG. 1 to FIG. 6, an outer appearance of the notebook PC ofthe Embodiment is described.

The notebook PC includes a computing unit 20 and a display unit 30. Thedisplay unit 30 includes a rotational shaft 40 on a far side of thecomputing unit 20 from the front side of the notebook PC. A closed stateof the display unit 30 overlapping the computing unit 20 as illustratedin FIG. 1 and an opened state of the display unit 30 opened from thecomputing unit 20 illustrated in FIG. 2 are switched over by rotationaround the rotational shaft 40. In order to change the state of thedisplay unit 30 from the closed state to the opened state, the displayunit 30 is rotated around the rotational shaft 40 by lifting the frontend surface 301 of the display unit 30 in the closed state. The frontend surface 301 of the display unit 30 in the closed state becomes anupper surface in the opened state (hereinafter, referred to as theopened state) when the display unit 30 is vertically opened. Therotational shaft has a structure of rotating the display unit 30 withfriction. The display unit 30 is structured to maintain an opened anglewhile the display unit 30 is opened by an arbitrary angle relative tothe computing unit 20. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the computing unit 20and the display unit 30 have an outer appearance of a substantiallyrectangular parallelepiped.

The computing unit 20 has many components such as a main circuit boardhaving an arithmetic processing function in which a CPU chip and so onare installed and a hard disk drive unit (HDD unit) which storesinformation. The CPU chip is a heat generating electronic componentwhich operates while generating heat and may include a heat dissipatingmodule such as a fan provided to air-cool the CPU chip.

A power button 22 and various function buttons 23 are provided on theupper far side of the computing unit 20. A pair of sound emitting holes24 is formed in the casing 21 of the computing unit 20. Speakers arepositioned inside the sound emitting holes 24, and sound generated bythe speakers is emitted from the sound emitting holes 24.

In the middle portion of the upper surface of the computing unit 20, akeyboard 25 for inputting various information and instructions to the PCnotebook 10 is arranged.

On the near side of the keyboard 25, there are provided a track pad 26,right and left operations button 27 for the track pad 26, and afingerprint sensor 28 in the middle of the operations buttons (right andleft) 27.

The track pad 26 is provided to move a cursor on the display screen 32described later in response to operations of sliding a finger on thetrack pad 26. The operations buttons (right and left) 27 correspond toright and left buttons of a mouse (not illustrated) and are used fordesignating an icon overlapping a cursor moved at an arbitrary positionon the display screen and displaying a menu screen on the display screen32. The fingerprint sensor 28 is provided for security. The notebook PC10 may be activated only when a fingerprint matching a registeredfingerprint is detected.

On a near side on the upper surface of the computing unit 20, a lockingaperture 29 is provided on the casing 21 of the computing unit 20. Ahook 33 provided on a front upper portion of the display unit 30(described later) is inserted into and engaged with the aperture 29 whenthe state of the notebook PC changes from the opened state to the closedstate. With the engagement, the display unit 30 maintains the closedstate in which the display unit overlaps the computing unit 20. Thus,the notebook PC may not be inadvertently opened. An unhook button 34protrudes from the front end surface 301 in the closed state (the uppersurface in the opened state). If the unhook button 34 is pushed towardthe front end surface (the upper surface) 301, the hook 33 moves to anunhook position thereby releasing engagement between the hook 33 and thelocking aperture 29. By lifting up the front end surface (the uppersurface) 311 while pushing the unhook button 34, the display unit 30 isopened as illustrated in FIG. 2. On the right side surface of thecomputing unit 20 illustrated in FIG. 3, a power connector hole 211 forinserting the connector of an AC adapter (not illustrated) fortransforming AC power to DC power and supplying the DC power to thenotebook PC 10 is formed. In an inside of the power connector 211, apower connector connected to the connector of the AC adaptor isprovided. The notebook PC receives a power supply via the powerconnector of the AC adaptor and the power connector hole 211 connectedto the power connector of the AC adaptor. A battery is built in thenotebook PC 10 to be charged by receiving the power supply from the ACadaptor. As described later, the battery is detachable from thecomputing unit 20. The notebook PC 10 can continue to operate only withthe battery power. The AC adaptor may include an AC/DC transformingpart, a first cable part which connects the AC/DC transforming part to acommercial power outlet and includes a plug connected to the commercialpower outlet on an end of the first cable part, a second cable partwhich connects the AC/DC transforming part to the notebook PC 10 andincludes a connector inserted in the power connector of power connectorhole on an end of the second cable part. On the right side surface ofthe computing unit 20, there are insertion holes for a USB connector, anaudio microphone jack, an audio earphone jack or the like other than thepower connector hole 211. On the left side of the computing unit 20illustrated in FIG. 4, an outer face 411 of a CD/DVD drive unit, a cardslot 412 and so on are provided.

Referring to FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, on the bottom surface of the computingunit 20, a battery lid 422, a lid 439 for covering an opening in whichan HDD unit is accommodated, and a lid 439 for covering an opening whichaccommodates a connector for receiving a memory board are provided.Further, from the bottom surface of the casing 21 of the computing unit20 to the back surface of the casing 21, an air vent 441 used forblowing air from an internal fan to the outside is formed as illustratedin FIG. 6. Several connectors and so on are arranged on a back surfaceof the computing unit 20.

The display screen 32 being a display panel for displaying an image inresponse to an instruction of the computing unit 20 is provided on afront surface of the display unit 30 in the opened state. The peripheryof the display screen 32 is covered by a front face cover 311 formingthe casing 31 of the display unit 30.

The casing 31 of the display unit 30 includes the front face cover 311and a back surface cover 312 (see FIG. 1) covering the back side surfaceof the display screen. The display screen 32 is interposed between thefront surface cover 311 and the back surface cover 312 and accommodatedin the casing 31. The front surface cover 311 forms a front casing ofthe casing 31 of the display unit 30. The back surface cover 312 forms aback casing of the casing 31 of the display unit 30.

A hook 33 protrudes from a upper front surface of the display unit 30 inthe opened state. The hook 33 enters the locking aperture 29 provided inthe casing 21 of the computing unit 20 and is engaged with the inside ofthe locking aperture 29 in the closed state. Referring to FIG. 1, anunhook button 34 protrudes from the upper surface 301 in the openedstate (the front end surface 301 in the closed state). If the unhookbutton 34 is pushed downward toward the upper surface in the openedstate (the front surface in the closed state), the hook 33 moves to aposition where the engagement between the hook 33 and the lockingaperture 29 is released. Therefore, the display unit 30 in the closedstate as illustrated in FIG. 1 can be opened as illustrated in FIG. 2 byrotating the display unit 30 so as to lift the front end surface 301 ofthe display unit 30 while pushing the unhook button 34.

The upper front portion of the display unit 30 in the opened state hasplural pads 35 to be in contact with the upper surface of the computingunit 20 when the display unit 30 overlaps the computing unit 20.

(HDD Cover Attaching Structure)

FIG. 7 is a view of an opening of a battery housing on the bottomsurface of the computing unit from which the battery is removed.

FIG. 8 illustrates a removed battery which is turned upside down. Anopening 212 of a battery housing formed in a bottom surface of thecasing 21 of the computing unit 20 is illustrated in FIG. 7. The battery420 includes a body 421 and a lid 422. A battery cell is accommodated inthe body 421. The battery 420 is attachable to and detachable from theopening 212 of battery housing. The battery body 421 is accommodated inthe opening 212 of the battery housing. A connector 501 is exposedinside the opening 212 of the battery housing. The connector 501 isconnected to a connector 423 provided in the battery body 421 of thebattery 420 illustrated in FIG. 8. The battery 420 is charged via theconnectors 501 and 423, and power stored in the battery 420 is suppliedto various portions of the notebook PC 10 via the connectors 501 and423. The lid 422 overlaps the area of the battery body 421 and forms apart of the outer surface of the casing. The lid 422 has a flange 422 aextending along the surface area of the battery body 421 and protrudingfrom the battery body 421. Meanwhile, the casing 21 has a supportingedge 213 extending along the opening 212 of the battery housing and inan inward direction from the opening 212 of the battery housing. Theflange 422 a of the battery 420 is supported by the supporting edge 213formed around the opening 212 of battery housing and engaged with theopening 212 of battery housing by a locking part 422 b. Referring toFIG. 10, on the bottom surface of the casing 21 of the computing unit20, an opening 414 of an HDD unit housing which accommodates an HDD unit430 is formed adjacent to the opening 212 a of the battery housing. TheHDD unit 430 is accommodated in the opening 414 of the HDD unit housingas illustrated in FIG. 10, and the HDD unit 430 is covered by the lid439 as illustrated in FIG. 7. The lid 439 includes a cover portion 439 afor covering the HDD unit 430 which is accommodated in the opening 414of the HDD unit housing and an extending portion 439 b which extends onthe side of the opening 212 of the battery housing.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged perspective view of an extending portion 439 bcovering the HDD unit 430 and adjacent portions thereto. Referring toFIG. 9, the battery 420 is slightly lifted up from the opening 212 ofthe battery housing.

The outer face of a supporting edge 213 formed around the opening 212 ofthe battery housing and the outer face of the extending portion 439 b ofthe lid 439 adjacent to the opening 212 of the battery housing areformed substantially flat. The battery 420 is accommodated inside theopening 212 of the battery housing so that the flange 422 a which is theperipheral portion of the battery lid 422 of the battery 420 covers boththe supporting edge 213 and the extending portion 439 b.

Therefore, the lid 439 is not removed as long as the battery 429 isaccommodated in the opening 212 of the battery housing. Therefore, theHDD unit 430 accommodated inside the opening 414 of the HDD unit housing(see FIG. 10) is not removed from the opening 414 of the HDD unithousing. Therefore, the battery 420 is always removed before the removalof the HDD unit 430 if the HDD unit 430 is to be removed. With this, itis possible to prevent the HDD unit 430 having electric power appliedfrom being removed from the notebook PC 10. Thus, the HDD unit 430 andinformation stored in the HDD unit 430 are prevented from being damaged.

FIG. 10 illustrates the HDD unit 430 accommodated in the opening 414 ofthe HDD unit housing. FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the lid 439 whichis removed from the opening 414 of the HDD housing. FIG. 12 is aperspective view of the inside of the lid 439.

If the lid 439 covering the opening 414 of the HDD unit housing isremoved as illustrated in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, the HDD unit 430accommodated in the opening 414 of the HDD unit housing can be viewed asillustrated in FIG. 10.

The opening 414 of the HDD unit housing is formed in a position adjacentto the opening 212 of the battery housing in which the battery 420 isaccommodated as illustrated in FIG. 8. Referring to FIG. 10, the opening414 of the HDD unit housing is formed by including a side wall 414 aadjacent to the opening 212 of the battery housing, a front wall 414 c,and a corner 414 b connected in common with the side wall 414 a and thefront wall 414 c. Further, the front wall 414 c of the opening 414 ofthe HDD unit housing have two holes 414 d into which two claw portions439 c formed in the lid 439 are inserted as illustrated in FIG. 12 andFIG. 13. The lid 439 has protruding portions 439 d which are insertedinto dents 414 e which are formed on the opening 414 of the HDD unithousing on a side opposite to the claw portions 439 c. The opening 414of the HDD unit housing have two screw holes 414 f at positions adjacentto the dents 414 e. In association with the screw holes 414 f, two holes439 e are formed in the lid 439 at corresponding positions of the twoscrew holes 414 f. The lid 439 is fixed so as to cover the opening 414of the HDD unit housing by inserting the claw portions 439 c into theholes 414 d, arranging the protruding portions 439 d in the dents 414 e,and screwing the lid 439 through the holes 439 e to the screw holes 414f. Therefore, in order to remove the fixed lid 439 in the fixed state,the side of the lid having the holes 439 e is lifted and rotated afterremoving the screws fixing the lid 439. The extending portion 439 b ofthe lid 439 is formed at a corner apart from the corner 414 b shared bythe side wall 414 a and the front wall 414 c on the side of the opening414 of the HDD unit housing. Said differently, the extending portion 439b is formed on the side to be lifted in removing the lid 439. Since theflange 422 a of the battery 420 covers the extending portion 439 b, itis possible to certainly prevent the lid 439 from being removed beforethe battery 420 is removed.

Although the HDD unit 430 is described, the Embodiment is applicable toother types of electronic components such as a memory board and acommunication module.

(HDD Unit Attaching Structure)

FIG. 13 and FIG. 14 are perspective views of the opening 414 of the HDDunit housing viewed from different angles after removing the HDD unit.

The opening 414 of the HDD unit housing includes an opposite side wall414 g and a bottom face 414 i in addition to the side wall 414 a on theside of the opening 212 of the battery housing and the front wall 414 cdescribed above. A connector 415 is arranged on the front wall 414 c. Aprotrusion 414 h is provided on the side wall 414 g on a side far fromthe opening 212 of the battery housing so as to protrude toward theinside of the opening 414 of the HDD unit housing. A grounding member416 protrudes from the bottom face 414 i on an end portion far from thefront wall 414 c. FIG. 15 and FIG. 16 are perspective views of the HDDunit 430 viewed from different angles. FIG. 17 illustrates the bottomface of the HDD unit 430. FIG. 18 is an exploded perspective view of theHDD unit 430 separated into the HDD body 431 and a cover member 432.FIG. 19, FIG. 20 and FIG. 21 are perspective views of the cover member432 viewed from different angles.

The HDD unit 430 includes the HDD body 431 and a cover member 432.

Referring to FIG. 18, the HDD body 431 includes a first face 431 acovered by a cover member 432 and a second face 431 b (see FIG. 17)being in contact with the bottom face 414 i (see FIG. 13 and FIG. 14) ofthe opening 414 of the HDD unit housing and extending in parallel withthe first face 431 a. The HDD body 431 further includes a front end face431 c, left and right side faces 431 d and 431 e, and a back end face431 f, which surround the first surface 431 a and the second surface 431b. As illustrated in FIG. 17, an exposed circuit board 431 g is providedon the second face 431 b and a connector 431 h is provided on an end ofthe circuit board 431 g. The connector 431 h is positioned at around thefront wall 414 c of the opening 414 of the HDD unit housing andconnected to the connector 415 as illustrated in FIG. 13 and FIG. 14.The circuit board 431 g on the second surface 431 b of the HDD body 431extends entirely through the length of the HDD body 431. A base body 431i made of a resin extends within a partial area on one end of the bottomface of the HDD body 431.

The cover member 432 included in the HDD unit 430 is formed by sheetmetal processing. The cover member 432 includes a cover 432 a forcovering the first face 431 a (see FIG. 18) of the HDD body 431 and leftand right bent portions 432 b and 432 c bent along the left and rightside faces 432 d and 432 e of the HDD body 431. The cover member 432includes a grounding part 432 d bent along the back end face 431 f ofthe HDD body 431. The grounding part 432 d is in contact with agrounding member 416 (see FIG. 13 and FIG. 14) protruding from thebottom face 414 i of the opening 414 of the HDD unit housing. Thegrounding member 416 (see FIG. 13) is positioned immediately outside theback end face 431 f (see FIG. 18) of the HDD body 431 included in theHDD unit 430 where the HDD unit 430 is accommodated in the opening 414of the HDD unit housing. Therefore, the grounding part 432 d of thecover member 432 (see FIG. 18) mounts the grounding member 416 tothereby electrically connect the grounding part 432 d to the groundingmember 416.

A hook-like notch 432 e is formed on the right side 432 b of the covermember 412. The hook-like notch 432 e is engaged with the protrusion 414h (see FIG. 13) protruding inside the opening 414 of the HDD unithousing from the right side face of the opening 414 of HDD unit housing.Referring to FIG. 18, the hook-like notch 432 e includes a first notch432 f and a second notch 432 g. The shape of the first notch 432 f iswide in its open end for receiving the protrusion 414 h. The first notch432 f accommodates and is engaged with the protrusion 414 h when the HDDunit 430 is brought closer to the bottom face 414 i while making thesecond face 431 b of the HDD body 431 face the bottom face 414 i of theopening 414 of the HDD unit housing. After moving the second face 431 b(see FIG. 17) of the HDD body 431 to be in contact with the bottom face414 i of the opening 414 of the HDD unit housing, the front end face 431c of the HDD body 431 is moved in a direction approaching the front wall414 c (see FIG. 18) of the opening 414 of the HDD unit housing.Referring to FIG. 18, the second notch 432 g continues from the firstnotch 432 f and is provided to accommodate the protrusion 414 h (seeFIG. 13) while the front end face 431 c of the HDD body 431 moves in thedirection approaching the front wall 414 c (see FIG. 18) of the frontwall 414 c of the opening 414 of the HDD unit housing. When the frontend face 431 c of the HDD body 431 is moved in the direction approachingthe front wall 414 c (see FIG. 18) of the front wall 414 c of theopening 414 of the HDD unit housing, the connector 431 h (see FIG. 17)is connected to the connector 415 in the front wall 414 c (see FIG. 13)of the opening 414 of the HDD unit housing. With this connection, poweris appropriately supplied to the HDD unit 430. Further, a signal istransmitted and received between the HDD unit 430 and the notebook PC10.

As described, the second face 431 b is directed to the bottom face 414 iof the opening 414 of the HDD unit housing and the front end face 431 c(see FIG. 18) of the HDD body 431 is directed to the front wall 414 c(see FIG. 13) of the opening 414 of the HDD unit housing. Then, the HDDunit 431 is moved on a side of the bottom face 414 i. Hereinafter, thementioned movement is referred to as “first movement”. After the firstmovement, the HDD unit 430 is moved in a direction of making the frontend face 431 c (see FIG. 17) approach the front wall 414 c (see FIG.13). Hereinafter, the mentioned movement is referred to as “secondmovement”. The HDD unit 430 is accommodated in the opening of the HDDunit housing with two stage motions of the first movement and the secondmovement. A positional relationship between the protrusion 414 h and thefirst notch 432 f may be determined such that the grounding member 416is in contact with the base body 431 i (see FIG. 17) of the second face431 b of the HDD body 431 with the first movement. Therefore, in thesecond movement after the first movement, the grounding member 416 (seeFIG. 13) grazes only the base body 431 i of the HDD body 431 in thesecond movement (see FIG. 17) after the first movement. The groundingmember 416 is not in contact with the exposed circuit board 431 g in themotions of accommodating the HDD unit 430 in the opening 414 of the HDDunit housing and of taking out the HDD unit 430 from the opening 414 ofthe HDD unit housing. As described, the circuit board 431 g is preventedfrom being in contact with or grazing the grounding member 416. Thus,the breakage of circuit board can be prevented. By forming theprotrusion 414 h and the hook-like notch 432 e, the grounding member 416can be securely arranged on the bottom face 414 i of the opening 414 ofthe HDD unit housing. As described, a degree of freedom in laying outthe parts and components using the protrusion 414 h and the hook-likenotch 432 e.

Referring to FIG. 13, the protrusion 414 h is formed on only the rightside face 414 g of the right and left side faces 414 a and 414 g of theopening 414 of the HDD unit housing and is not formed on the left sideface 414 a adjacent to the opening 212 of the battery housing. The HDDunit 430 is relatively pervious to the vibration and it is preferable toprevent vibration around the HDD unit 430 as far as possible. The reasonwhy the protrusion 414 h is formed only on the side face 414 g of theboth side faces 414 a and 414 g is to prevent the vibration. Asdescribed, by making the only the side face 414 g be in contact with theHDD unit 430, a vibration transmission amount to the HDD unit 430 isrestricted. Further, another reason is that it is sufficient to restrictthe motion of the HDD unit 430 only on one side using the protrusion 414h and the hook-like notch 432 e.

Referring to FIG. 18, screw holes 431 n are formed at two positionsrespectively on the side faces 431 d and 431 d near the front end face431 c and the back end face 431 f. A screw hole 432 h is formed in eachof the left and right bent portions 432 b and 432 c of the cover member432. The hole 432 h is formed in an arm 432 i in a cantilever shape ofeach of the left and right bent portions 432 b and 432 c. The covermember 432 is fixed to the HDD body 431 by two screws inserted into theright and left holes 432 h and the corresponding screw holes 431 n nearthe front end face 431 c, namely at one right position and one leftposition. The reason why only the one right position and the one leftposition are used is to prevent vibration from transmitting to the HDDbody.

Referring to FIG. 21, cushions 432 k are attached to the inner face ofthe cover 432 a on the side of the grounding part 432 d and the innerfaces of the left and right bent portions 432 b and 432 c on the side ofthe grounding part 432 d. With the cushions 432 k, portions of the HDDbody 431 at portions on the first face 431 a near the back end face 431f and portions on the left and right side faces 431 d and 431 d near theback end face 431 f are supported. The reason why only the cushions 432k are used is to prevent vibration from transmitting to the HDD body431.

(Speaker Attaching Structure)

As illustrated in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the pair of right and left soundemitting holes 24 is formed on the far side on the upper surface of thecomputing unit 20. The speakers (described below) are arrangedimmediately inside the sound emitting holes 24. Sound generated by thespeakers is emitted outside from the sound emitting holes 24.

FIG. 22 illustrates the notebook PC from which a cover member on anupper side of the computing unit and the speakers are removed. The powerbutton 22, the function buttons 23, and the sound emitting holes areprovided in the cover member and removed along together with the covermember. FIG. 23 and FIG. 24 are enlarged views of the left and rightspeaker areas. Referring to FIG. 23 and FIG. 24, disassembly of thenotebook PC 10 has further proceeded, namely the keyboard 25 is removedfrom the state illustrated in FIG. 22 and the display unit 30 is alsoremoved.

The pair of right and left speaker areas 441 is formed on the base plate440. These speaker areas 441 include openings of special shapes whichare formed on the base plate 440. Around the openings forming thespeaker areas 441, pressure-sensitive adhesive double coated tapes 442are attached. The pressure-sensitive adhesive double coated tape 442 iscushioned and has an annular shape surrounding a periphery of theopening by one turn without a seam. Each of the speaker areas 441 hastwo standing pieces 443 for aligning the speaker (described below) andtwo standing pins 444.

FIG. 25 is a perspective view of the speaker viewed from a back surfaceside of the notebook PC.

The speaker 450 has a sound emitting face 452 (see FIG. 26 and FIG. 27)for emitting sound with vibration on the opposite face of a back face451 illustrated in FIG. 25. The speaker 450 is shaped like a rectanglein plan views of the back face 451 and the sound emitting face 452.Holes 450 a are formed in four corners of the rectangle. The back faceof the speaker 450 specially protrudes as illustrated in FIG. 25. Theopening formed in the speaker area 441 of the base plate 440 has a shapeof accommodating a back face of the speaker 450. The opening is formedto partially support a periphery of the speaker 450 as described below.

FIG. 26 and FIG. 27 are enlarged perspective views of the notebook PC inwhich the speakers have been mounted on the speaker areas on the rightand left sides of the notebook PC 10.

The speaker 450 is arranged so that a protrusion on a the back face 451(see FIG. 25) is accommodated in the opening and the periphery of theback face mounts the pressure-sensitive adhesive double coated tape 442.The speaker 450 is aligned so that the two corners of the rectangle arefit to the standing pieces 443 and the standing pins 444 are insertedinto the two holes of the four holes 450 a.

The special opening is formed in the speaker area 441, and thepressure-sensitive adhesive double coated tape 442 is placed so as totrace the edge of the special opening. Therefore, the speaker 450 isarranged in the speaker area 441 while the peripheral edges of the backface 451 may intermittently overlap the pressure-sensitive adhesivedouble coated tape 442. Specifically, the four corners of the speaker450 overlap the pressure-sensitive adhesive double coated tape 442, andmiddle portions of four sides of the rectangle may not overlap thepressure-sensitive adhesive double coated tape 442 because thepressure-sensitive adhesive double coated tape 442 outwardly surroundsthe speaker 450 at around the sides of the rectangle as illustrated inFIG. 27. By using the cushioned pressure-sensitive adhesive doublecoated tape 442, it is possible to prevent vibration of the speaker 450from transmitting to the base plate 440. Further, by intermittentlysupporting the peripheral edges of the speaker 450, it is possible tofurther prevent the vibration of the speaker 450 from transmitting tothe base plate 440.

FIG. 28 illustrates the upper surface of the computing unit from whichthe cover member covering the speaker and the keyboard are removed. FIG.29 illustrates the upper surface side of the computing unit illustratedin FIG. 28 from which the speakers are removed.

The base plate 440 functions as the supporting member which extendsbelow the keyboard 25 to support the keyboard 25. The base plate 440forms the outer surface of the computing unit 20 on the near side of thekeyboard 25. The base plate 440 is an upper cover for covering the uppersurface of the casing of the computing unit 20. In the base plate 440,the speaker areas 441 (see FIG. 22) are connected to an area extendingbelow the keyboard by narrow arms 445. The HDD unit 430 is mounted on afar side viewed from the side of the speakers 450. The HDD unit 430 isrelatively pervious to vibration. The reason why the arm 445 is providedin the base plate 440 may be prevention of vibration of the speakers 450transmitting to the keyboard and the HDD unit 430 on the far side of thekey board.

(Click Button Structure)

FIG. 30 illustrates the back surface side of an upper cover used also asthe base plate for supporting the above-described speakers. FIG. 31 isan enlarged perspective view illustrating a supporter provided on theback face of the upper cover.

Referring to FIG. 30 and FIG. 31, the supporter 451 positioned on theback face of the upper surface cover 440 a is illustrated. On theopposite front face of the upper surface cover 440 a, a fingerprintsensor 28 and right and left operations buttons 27 sandwiching thefingerprint sensor 28 as illustrated in FIG. 2 and FIG. 29 are provided.

FIG. 32 is an enlarged perspective view of the supporter 451 removedfrom the front face cover and directed to expose the upper side oppositeto the bottom face illustrated in FIG. 30 and FIG. 31.

Referring to FIG. 32, the circuit board 452 a is fixed to the upper faceof the supporter 451. On the left and right sides of the fingerprintsensor 28 on the circuit board 452 a, the switches 453 are mounted. Thefingerprint sensor 28 is exposed on the upper surface of the computingunit 20 from an opening 446 (see FIG. 33) formed on the upper surfacecover. Statuses of the right and left switches 453 are changed uponpressing of pressure points 453 a in the centers of the switches 453. Asthe structure of the switches 453, if the operations buttons 27 (seeFIG. 2 and FIG. 29) on the upper surface of the computing unit 20 arepushed, the pressure points 453 a are pushed by the operations buttons27. FIG. 33 is a perspective view illustrating insides of the twooperations buttons sandwiching the fingerprint sensor 28 where thesupporter 451 (see FIG. 31 and FIG. 32) attached to the circuit board452 a is removed. FIG. 34 and FIG. 35 are enlarged perspective viewsillustrating insides of the right and left operations buttons.

Referring to FIG. 33 to FIG. 35, the operations buttons have asubstantially rectangular shape extending left and right the notebook PC10. The operations buttons 27 have action pins 271 protruding from theinner faces of the operations buttons at positions closer to the opening446 for providing the fingerprint sensor 48 from the centers of therectangles. The action pins 271 face the pressure points 453 a of theswitches 453 on the circuit board 452 a. Said differently, the distancebetween centers of the two operations buttons 453 is greater than thedistance between the switches 453. If the operations button 27 ispushed, the action pin 271 pushes the pressure point 453 a of the switch453 to thereby change the status of the switch 453. The operationsswitches 27 have ribs 272 protruding from insides of the operationsswitches 27 at positions being outwardly apart from the action pins 271from the centers of the rectangles. The rib 272 hits the upper face ofthe supporter 45 (see FIG. 32) if the operations switch 27 is stronglypushed to thereby prevent the operations button from being pushed anymore.

Referring to FIG. 33, four elastic arms 433 extend from peripheries ofthe operations button 27 and fixed to the upper surface cover by fixingpins 434. The elastic arms 433 support the operations button 27 to theupper surface cover and elastically deform to displace the operationsbutton 27 if the operations button 27 is pushed. Although the operationsbutton 27 has the four elastic arms 433, 433 a, 433 b, the two elasticarms 433 a connected on the side of the opening 446 among the fourelastic arms 433, 433 a, 433 b are relatively thin (a narrow feature inwidth) and the other two elastic arms 433 b connected on the side apartfrom the opening 446 are relatively thick (a wide feature in width). Thedifference of the width relates to the shifted position of the actionpin 271 on the operations button closer to the side of the opening 446.The sizes of the operations buttons 27 may be large in comparison withthe widths of fingers in right and left directions. Therefore, theoperations button 27 may be pushed on the side closer to the opening 446or on the side apart from the opening 446. Referring to FIG. 32,irrespective of positions where the operations button is pushed, it ispreferable to operate the switch 453 with the action pin 271.

By adopting the relatively narrow feature for the elastic arm 433 asupporting the side of the operations button 27 closer to the opening446, the side closer to the opening 446 is supported with a relativelysmall elastic coefficient. By adopting the relatively wide feature forthe elastic arm 433 b supporting the side of the operations button 27apart from the opening 446, the side apart from the opening 446 issupported with a relatively large elastic coefficient. With thesefeatures, the switches 453 are certainly pushed and operated. Saiddifferently, if a position of the operations button 27 closer to theopening 446, i.e., a position of the operations button 27 closer to theelastic arm 433 a than the elastic arm 433 b, is pushed, the pushingforce causes the elastic arms 433 a on the side of the opening 446 todeflect thereby pushing the switch 453 with the action pin 271. If aposition of the operations button 27 apart from the opening 446, i.e., aposition of the operations button 27 closer to the elastic arm 433 bthan the elastic arm 433 a, is pushed, the pushing force scarcely causesthe elastic arms 433 b on the side apart from the opening 446 to deflectdue to their wide features and causes the elastic arms 433 a on the sideof the opening 446 to deflect thereby pushing the switch 453 with theaction pin 271. Therefore, even if the side of the operations button 27apart from the opening 446 is pushed, the switch 453 is securely pushedby the action pin 271.

Assuming that the action pin 271 is formed in the center of theoperations button 27, the switch 453 is arranged so as to face theaction pin 271 (see FIG. 32). Then, the size of the circuit board 452having the switch 453 becomes large and therefore the size of thesupporter 451 also becomes large. In this case, the circuit board 452 aor the like becomes large to reduce a space for arranging the parts andcomponents. Therefore, compact or high-density mounting are notachieved.

On the other hand, the size of the operations button 27 can be reducedso that the action pin 271 is positioned at the center of the operationsbutton 27 while maintaining the position of the switch 453 illustratedin FIG. 32. However, the arrangement and dimensions of the operationsbutton 27 may influence operability and design of the notebook PC 10.Therefore, the center of the operations button may not overlap theswitch 453.

By changing the widths of the elastic arms, the above-mentionedsituations are considered and a degree of freedom in determining thedimensions and arrangement of the operations button 27 relative to thearrangement of the switch 453 is enhanced.

If the side of the operations button 27 closer to the action pin 271 issupported with a relatively small elastic coefficient and the side ofthe operations button 27 apart from the action pin 271 is supported witha relatively large elastic coefficient, the switch is certainly pushed.As such, by adjusting the widths of the elastic arms 433, the switch 453is certainly pushed. However, without adjusting the widths of theelastic arms 433 or together with the adjustment of the widths of theelastic arms 433, other factors may be adjusted. Examples of the otherfactors are the lengths of the elastic arms and the number of theelastic arms that are connecting positions between the elastic arms andthe operations button 27. Said differently, the longer the elastic arm433 there is, the smaller the elastic coefficient becomes. The shorterthe elastic arm 433 is, the greater the elastic coefficient becomes.Meanwhile, the greater the number of the elastic arms 433 is, thegreater the elastic coefficient becomes. Meanwhile, the closer theconnecting position between the elastic arm and the operations button 27is, the more the influence of pushing of the operations button 27 onpushing of the action pin 271 becomes.

(Connector Attaching Structure)

FIG. 36 is a perspective view of the computing unit from which the uppercover is removed.

Referring to FIG. 36, the upper surface cover 440 a illustrated in FIG.30 is removed from the computing unit illustrated in FIG. 29.

FIG. 36 illustrates an inner face of the bottom surface cover 219 on theside of the bottom surface of the casing 21 of the computing unit 20illustrated in FIG. 2. A main circuit board 460 widely spreading on thebottom surface cover 219 is installed in the bottom surface cover 219.Referring to FIG. 36, an opening 461 is formed to send air to a fan 471(see FIG. 37) to be described later.

FIG. 37 is a perspective view illustrating aback side face of the maincircuit board 460 facing the face of the bottom surface cover 219illustrated in FIG. 36. On the main circuit board 460 illustrated inFIG. 37, many parts and components are densely arranged. Among the partsand components, only selected parts and components are described.Referring to FIG. 37, a heat dissipating module 470 as a heat generatingelectric component for air-cooling the CPU module 462 (see FIG. 45) isinstalled in the main circuit board 460. The heat dissipating module 470includes a fan 471, a heat dissipating fin 472, and a base body 473 forsupporting the fan 471 and the heat dissipating fin 472. Detaileddescription of the heat dissipating module 470 is given later. The maincircuit board 460 has a power connector 481 and a supporter 482 forsupporting the power connector 481. Hereinafter, the power connector 481and the supporter 482 supporting the power connector 481 are described.

FIG. 38 and FIG. 39 are enlarged perspective views of the powerconnector for the power source on the side illustrated in FIG. 37 of themain circuit board 460 viewed from different angles. Referring to FIG.38, a screw 490 (see FIG. 40) for fixing the supporter 482 to the maincircuit board 460 is removed and a hole 463 through which the screw 490penetrates and which is formed in the main circuit board 460 isillustrated. FIG. 40 is an enlarged perspective view of the powerconnector 481 on a side opposite to the side illustrated in FIG. 37 ofthe main circuit board 460, i.e. the side illustrated in FIG. 36. FIG.41 is a perspective view of the power connector 481. FIG. 42 and FIG. 43are perspective views of the supporter 482 viewed from different angles.FIG. 44 is a perspective view of an assembly of the power connector 481and the supporter 482.

The power connector 481 is located immediately inside the powerconnector hole 211 on the right side surface of the computing unit 20illustrated in FIG. 3, and is connected to the connector of an ACadapter (not illustrated) inserted through the power connector hole 211.

Hereinafter, the side face of the main circuit board 460 on which thepower connector 481 is provided (the face illustrated in FIG. 37 to FIG.39) is referred to as “a first face”, and the side surface oppositethereto is referred to as “a second face”.

Referring to FIG. 41, the power connector 481 has an opening 481 b on afront face 481 a. Protrusions 481 e and 481 f are formed on the left andright side faces 481 c and 481 d in the vertical direction. Meanwhile,as illustrated in FIG. 42 and FIG. 43, the supporter 482 includes a baseportion 482 a in contact with an upper face 481 g (see FIG. 41) of theconnector 481 and bent portions 482 b and 482 c which are bent from thebase portion 482 a and contact the side faces 481 c and 481 d of theconnector 481. The supporter 482 further includes pushing portions 482 dand 482 e which are formed at positions sandwitching the opening 481 bof the connector 481 in the right and left directions and clamp theright and left edges of the front face 481 a of the connector 481. Thesupporter 482 includes a fixing portion 482 g which is bent on a side ofthe second face of the main circuit board 460 from a tip of the leftpushing portion 482 d and has a screw hole 482 f. Further, the supporter482 includes a hook portion 482 h which is bent to the second face sideof the main circuit board 460 from the tip of the right pushing portion482 e and is engaged with the main circuit board 460.

As illustrated in FIG. 44, the supporter 482 supports the connector 481by clamping the front face 481 a (see FIG. 41) and the protrusions 481 eand 481 f in the vertical directions with the left and right pushingportions 482 d and 482 e and the left and right bent portions 482 b and482 c.

Referring to FIG. 38 and FIG. 39, the supporter 482 supports theconnector 481 after the connector 481 is placed at a predeterminedposition on the first face of the main circuit board 460. While thesupporter 482 is supported, the fixing portion 482 g and the hookportion 482 h of the supporter 482 reach the second face of the maincircuit board 460 from the left and right sides of the connector 481 andfix the supporter 482 to the first face of the main circuit board 460.The main circuit board 460 has a hole 463 (see FIG. 38) which overlapsthe screw hole 482 f formed in the fixing portion 482 g of the supporter482. Referring to FIG. 40, the supporter 482 is fixed to the maincircuit board 460 by one screw 490 passing through the hole 463 of themain circuit board 460 and the screw hole 482 f of the supporter 482from the first face side of the main circuit board 460.

For example, processed sheet metal may be additionally prepared and themain circuit board 460 may be clamped by the processed sheet metal and asupporter, or the supporter may be screwed to a part or componentpositioned immediately adjacent to the supporter.

In comparison with the example, the supporter 482 is screwed to the maincircuit board 460 without another part or another component. In theEmbodiment, the supporter 482 is fixed without introducing an incrementof the number of the parts and components and restrictions in laying outthe parts and components.

(Cooling Ventilation Route Structure)

The heat dissipating module 470 on the main circuit board 460illustrated in FIG. 37 is described next.

FIG. 45 is a perspective view of the first surface of the main circuitboard illustrated in FIG. 37 from which a heat dissipating module isremoved.

Referring to FIG. 45, the opening 461 for taking air on the first faceside (see FIG. 37 and a face opposite to the first face illustrated inFIG. 45) into the fan 471 (see FIG. 37 and FIG. 47) is formed in themain circuit board 460. The heat dissipating fin 472 is in closelycontact with the CPU module 462. The CPU module 462 generates heat whenit is activated. Therefore, a heat generating electronic component suchas the CPU module 462 is forcibly cooled by the heat dissipating module470. FIG. 46 is a perspective view of an inside of the bottom surfacecover 219 after the main circuit board 460 is removed.

The bottom surface cover 219 forms a part of the casing 21 (see FIG. 2)of the computing unit 20 and covers the bottom face side of thecomputing unit 20. The bottom surface cover 219 has an air vent 441 (seeFIG. 6 and FIG. 46) for blowing air which is blown by the fan 471 (seeFIG. 37 and FIG. 47) and passes through the heat dissipating fin 472.Referring to FIG. 10 and FIG. 46, the opening 414 of the HDD unithousing in which the HDD unit 430 is arranged is formed in the bottomsurface cover 219. A shield plate 480 extends on the inside of thebottom surface cover 219. The shield plate 480 prevents electronic partson the main circuit board 460 from being easily affected byelectromagnetic noise and prevents electromagnetic noise generated bythe main circuit board 460 from easily leaking to the outside.

An opening 480 a is formed at a position facing the fan 471 (see FIG.45) in the shield plate 480, and the bottom surface cover 219 isexposed. The opening 480 a is provided to introduce more air with thefan 471 by opening a front face of an air intake port of the fan 471 asmuch as possible.

A piece 480 b is cut and raised from the shield plate 480 in thevicinity of the opening 480 a of the shield plate 480. Plural pieces 480c are cut and raised at positions closer to the air vent 441 than thepiece 480 b of the shield plate 480. The pieces 480 c are provided tocontact the heat dissipating fin 472 and the base body 473 (see FIG. 47)which form the heat dissipating module 470 and ground the heatdissipating fin 472 and the base body 473.

The main circuit board 460 illustrated in FIG. 45 is arranged on theback surface cover 219 while the heat dissipating module is mounted asillustrated in FIG. 37, the first face illustrated in FIG. 45 isdirected to the shield plate 480 interposing a gap between the shieldplate 480 and the main circuit board 460.

FIG. 47 is a perspective view of the heat dissipating module. FIG. 47illustrates a face on a side facing the shield plate 480 illustrated inFIG. 46.

FIG. 48 is a perspective view of the heat dissipating module which isplaced at a predetermined position while the heat dissipating module isremoved from the main circuit board.

The heat dissipating module 470 includes the fan 471, the heatdissipating fin 472, and the base body 473 for supporting the fan 471and the heat dissipating fin 472 as described above. The base body 473is a heavy and thick metallic member manufactured by die-casting. Anopening 473 a is formed in a part supporting the fan 471 so as tointroduce air into the fan 471. Air is suctioned from the second faceside (i.e., the opposite side to the first face side illustrated in FIG.45) of the main circuit board 460 through the opening 461 (see FIG. 45)formed in the main circuit board 460 and the opening 473 a formed in thebase body 473. The fan 471 is supported by the main circuit board 460interposing a gap between the fan 471 and the shield plate 480 (see FIG.46). Air is suctioned from the side of the shield plate 480 from the fan471. The fan 471 blows air suctioned from the upper and lower openings460 and 480 a to the heat dissipating fin 472. The heat dissipating fin472 is biased by a spring (not illustrated) in a direction toward theCPU module 462 mounted on the main circuit board 462 (in a directionseparating from the shield plate 480) so that the heat dissipating fin472 is in contact with the CPU module 462 mounted on the first face ofthe main circuit board 462. The biased heat dissipating fin 472 with thespring absorbs heat from the CPU module 462 in close contact with theheat dissipating fin. The heat dissipating fin 472 in close contact withthe CPU module 462 is pushed by the CPU module 462 and is moved to aposition where an air intake 472 a receives air sent by the fan 471. Thepieces 480 b and 480 c contact the moved heat dissipating fin 472 andthe base body 473 to thereby ground the heat dissipating fin 472 and thebase body 473. The fan 471 suctions air from both faces of the fan 471in the computing unit 20. For this, a positional relationship is suchthat the heat dissipating fin 472 closely contacts the CPU module 462 onthe main circuit board 460. On the other hand, the computing unit 20 isformed as thin as possible. When the fan 471 and the heat dissipatingfin 472 are arranged at positions satisfying the postitionalrelationship described above, the heat dissipating fin 472 is arrangedat positions shifted more to the bottom face side (i.e., the side of theshield plate 480) than the fan 471 in the thickness direction of thecomputing unit 20. Therefore, the base body 473 of the heat dissipatingmodule 470 has a slope 473 b between the fan 471 and the heatdissipating fin 472. The slope 473 b makes the air sent from the fan 471smoothly flow toward the air intake 472 a. A pair of walls 473 c isformed on both sides of the base body 473 substantially along the fan471, the slope 473 c and the heat dissipating fin 472 to prevent thesent air from leaking in transverse directions of the air flow.Referring to FIG. 48, the heat dissipating module 470 is mounted on themain circuit board 460 and further positioned so that the air send bythe fan 471 and passing through the heat dissipating fin 472 isoutwardly discharged from the air vent 441 (see FIG. 6 and FIG. 46).

FIG. 49 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line X-X of FIG. 48.

Referring to FIG. 47, the base body 473 of the heat dissipating module470 has the slope 473 b and the pair of walls 473 c as described abovein the air flow path between the fan 471 and the heat dissipating fin472. However, efficiency may be lowered by leakage of the air sent fromthe fan 471. Therefore, the piece 480 b (see FIG. 46 and FIG. 48) isformed in the shield plate 480. The piece 480 b seals the air flow pathbetween the fan 471 and the heat dissipating fin 472 and obliquelyintroduces the air flowing along the slope 473 b. Said differently, theslope 473 b of the base body 473, the pair of walls 473 c, and the piece480 b of the shield plate 480 form a duct structure connecting the fan471 and the heat dissipating fin 472. As described, the duct structureis realized by forming the piece 480 b in the shield plate 480 withoutadding another member. Thus, the efficiency of the heat dissipation canbe improved.

(Hook Structure in the Display Unit)

For example, a hook structure illustrated in FIG. 2 is described. Thehook structure includes a hook 33 provided in an upper portion of thedisplay unit 30, and an unhook button 34 protruding from the uppersurface 301 of the display unit 30 in the opened state (i.e., the frontend surface of the display unit 30 in the closed state). The hook 33 isan engaging protrusion for locking the display unit 30 in the slosedstate by entering into a locking aperture 29 provided in the uppersurface of the computing unit 20 when the display unit 30 is close byfolding it down on the computing unit 20. The unhook button 34 causesthe hook 33 to be moved at an unhook position by pressing the unhookbutton 34 thereby releasing the engagement of the hook 33 with thelocking aperture 29. FIG. 50 and FIG. 51 are enlarged perspective viewsof the hook 33 and the unhook button 34 provided in the display unit 30.Referring to FIG. 50, the unhook button 34 protrudes from the upper face301 of the display unit 30 in the opened state (the front end surface301 in the closed state). Referring to FIG. 51, the unhook button 34 ispressed. Referring to FIG. 50, if the display unit 30 is close by beingfolded down on the computing unit 20 while the unhook button 34protrudes from the upper surface (the front end surface), the hook 33 isinserted into the locking aperture 29 of the computing unit 20. The hook33 laterally moves with a contact between the locking aperture and theslope 33 a of the hook 33. Thereafter, the hook 33 returns to theposition illustrated in FIG. 50. Thus, the hook 33 is engaged withlocking aperture 29. When the unhook button 34 is pushed as illustratedin FIG. 51, the hook 33 laterally moves. Then, if the display unit is inthe closed state, the engagement between the hook 33 and the lockingaperture 29 is released to enable the display unit 30 being lifted so asto be in the opened state.

FIG. 52 is a cross-sectional view of a part of the hook 33 and theunhook button 34 of the display unit 30. The upper face 301 of thedisplay unit 30 in the opened state includes the horizontal first face301 a from the back surface toward the front surface and a descendingslope 301 b is formed after the first face 301 a. The first face 301 amay be formed like an ascending slope from the back surface of the backsurface cover to the front surface of the back surface cover. The secondface 301 b may be a curved face becoming gradually steep on the side ofthe first face 301 a.

The casing 31 of the display unit 30 includes the front surface cover311 covering a periphery of the display screen 32 (see FIG. 2) and theback face cover covering the back face of the display unit 30 (see FIG.1). The second face 301 b of the upper surface 301 in the opened stateis formed on the front face cover 311. The unhook button 34 protrudesfrom the front surface cover 311. If the display unit 30 in the closedstate is opened to be in the opened state, the unhook button 34 ispressed and simultaneously a finger is hung on the second face 301 b tolift the front end surface 301 (the upper face in the opened state) ofthe display unit 30. Thus, the operability is good. The second face (theslope) 301 b may be provided only in the periphery of the unhook button34. However, if the second faces are provided on both sides of the frontend surface (the upper surface in the opened state), the display unit 30looks thin and therefore it is advantageous in designing the notebookPC.

FIG. 53 illustrates a comparative example of FIG. 52.

In the comparative example illustrated in FIG. 53, the unhook button 34protrudes from the side of the back surface cover 312 on the uppersurface (the front end surface) 301. In this case, the second face (theslope) 301 b illustrated in FIG. 52 may not be formed or only a smallsecond face extending in the thickness direction may be formed.Therefore, even if the unhook button 34 is pushed the finger does notsufficiently hang on the display unit 30. Therefore, it is difficult tolift the display unit 30 into the opened state. Thus, in the comparativeexample illustrated in FIG. 53, the operability is insufficient.Further, the display unit 30 does not look thin. Therefore, it isdisadvantageous in designing the notebook PC.

FIG. 54 is a perspective view of an inner face of the front cover of thedisplay unit 30. FIG. 55 is an enlarged perspective view of the hookstructure including the hook on the inner face of the front cover.

The hook structure including the hook 33 and the unhook button 34 isassembled in the inner face side of the front surface cover 311 asillustrated in FIG. 55.

FIG. 56 is an exploded perspective view of the hook structure.

Referring to FIG. 56, the front surface cover 311, a first hook member501 having the hook 33 to be installed in the front surface cover 311, asecond hook member 502 having the unhook button 34, a hook holder 503,and a coil spring 504 are illustrated.

The first hook member 501 protrudes from the opening 311 a formed in anupper portion of the front surface of the front surface cover 311 in theopened state. The two elongated holes 501 a of the first hook member 501have inserted respective two pins 311 c standing on the front surfacecover 311. At this time, the coil spring 504 is provided in an arm 501 claterally extending from a side of the first hook member 501. A tip ofthe arm 501 c protrudes from an opening 311 e of the front surface cover311. The coil spring 504 is interposed between peripheral walls of theopening 311 e. The first hook member 501 has two protruding portions 501b obliquely extending on a face overlapping the second hook member 502.

FIG. 57A and FIG. 57B are plan views of a face on a hook holder side ofthe second hook member 502 in FIG. 57A and a face on a first hook memberside of the second hook member 502 in FIG. 57B. FIG. 58A and FIG. 58Bare plan views of the face on the hook holder side of the second hookmember 502 in FIG. 58A and the face on the first hook member side of thesecond hook member 502 in FIG. 58A. The second hook member 502 hasengaging claws 502 a on both sides. Referring to FIG. 56, an opening3111 b is formed on the upper surface of the front surface cover 311 inthe opened state. The unhook button 34 protrudes from the opening 311 b.The second hook member 502 including the unhook button 34 is inserted inthe opening 311 b of the front surface cover 311 from the outside. Then,the two engaging claws 502 a inwardly deflect once by being pushed bythe edges on both sides of the opening 311 b. After the engaging claws502 a are inserted so as to pass through the opening 311 b, the engagingclaws 502 a open again. Then, the engaging claws 502 a are engaged withan inner face of the front surface cover 311 to thereby prevent thesecond hook member from being dropped off. By adopting the structure ofinserting the second hook member 502 from the outside to the opening 311b, the hook structure can be easily assembled. Two guide grooves 502 bare formed on the face of the second hook member 502 on the first hookmember side so as to obliquely extend. Guide protrusions 501 b obliquelyprovided on the first hook member 501 are inserted in the guide grooves502 b, respectively. Therefore, if the unhook button 34 is pushed, thesecond hook member 502 moves to the inside of the front face cover 311,and the oblique guide protrusions 501 b of the first hook member 501 arepushed by the oblique guide grooves 502 b of the second hook member 502.Then, the first hook member 501 laterally moves against the biasing ofthe coil spring 504. Then, the hook 33 moves to the unhook positionillustrated in FIG. 51. When the finger is moved from the unhook button34, the first hook member 501 returns to the original position with thebiasing force of the coil spring 504. In response to the movement, thesecond hook member 502 moves in a direction of the protruding unhookbutton 34.

The front surface cover 311 has the two pins 311 c for guiding themovement of the first hook member inside the two elongated holes 501 aof the first hook member 501 and two other pins 311 d. These four pins311 c and 311 d are inserted into the four holes of the hook holder 503and fixed to the hook holder 503.

With the above described hook structure, the display unit 30 is engagedwith the computing unit 20 in the closed state, and the engagement isreleased by pushing the unhook button 34.

According to the electronic apparatus of the embodiment, the connectoris fixed to the main circuit board by the supporter without using othercomponents. Therefore, a degree of freedom in determining layouts ofcomponents and members is improved.

All examples and conditional language recited herein are intended forpedagogical purposes to aid the reader in understanding the inventionand the concepts contributed by the inventor to furthering the art, andare to be construed as being without limitation to such specificallyrecited examples and conditions, nor does the organization of suchexamples in the specification relate to a showing of the superiority orinferiority of the invention. Although the embodiments of the presentinvention have been described in detail, it should be understood thatthe various changes, substitutions, and alterations could be made heretowithout departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

1. An electronic apparatus comprising: a main circuit board configuredto have a first face on which a through hole penetrating through themain circuit board is formed and a second face on which the through holeis formed; a connector mounted on the first face; and a supporterincluding a supporting portion for supporting the connector on the firstface of the main circuit board, and a fixing portion having a screw holeoverlapping the through hole on a side of the second face, wherein thesupporter is fixed to the main circuit board by a screw inserted from aside of the first face into the screw hole while the connector issupported by the supporter.
 2. The electronic apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein the supporter further includes a hook portion engagedwith the second face of the main circuit board, and the connector isarranged between the hook portion and the fixing portion.
 3. Theelectronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the connector isprovided to be supplied with electric power.
 4. The electronic apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein the electronic apparatus includes acomputing unit having a keyboard on an upper surface of the electronicapparatus, and a display unit supported by the computing unit and beingcapable of rotating from the computing unit, wherein the main circuitboard is mounted on the computing unit, wherein the connector isconnected with a connector inserted from an outside of the computingunit.
 5. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein thesupporter includes a first pushing portion contacting the second faceand having the fixing portion and a second pushing portion contactingthe second face, wherein the first and second pushing portions closelycontact an outside face of the connecter and the supporting portioncontacts three side faces of the connector to mount the connector on themain circuit board.
 6. An electronic apparatus comprising: a maincircuit board configured to have a first face, a second face and athrough hole penetrating through the main circuit board in a directionperpendicular to the first and second faces; an electric connectormounted on the first face and used to cause the electronic apparatus tofunction; a supporter including a supporting portion for clamping theelectric connector on the first face of the main circuit board, and afixing portion having a screw hole overlapping the through hole on aside of the second face; and a screw for securing the main circuit boardto the supporter by passing through the main circuit board and beingscrewed to the screw hole of the fixing portion.
 7. The electronicapparatus according to claim 6, wherein the supporter further includes ahook portion contacting the second face of the main circuit board, andthe electric connector is arranged between the hook portion and thefixing portion.
 8. The electronic apparatus according to claim 6,wherein the electric connector is provided to be supplied with electricpower.
 9. The electronic apparatus according to claim 6, wherein theelectronic apparatus includes a computing unit having a keyboard on anupper surface of the electronic apparatus, and a display unit supportedby the computing unit and being capable of rotating around a rotationalaxis provided in the computing unit, wherein the main circuit board ismounted on the computing unit, wherein the electric connector isconnected with a connector inserted from an outside of the computingunit.
 10. The electronic apparatus according to claim 6, wherein thesupporter includes a first pushing portion contacting the second faceand having the fixing portion and a second pushing portion contactingthe second face, wherein the first and second pushing portions closelycontact an outside face of the connecter and the supporting portioncontacts three side faces of the connector to mount the connector on themain circuit board.
 11. An electronic apparatus comprising: a maincircuit board, an electric connector, a supporter, and a screw whereinthe main circuit board has only one through hole penetrating through themain circuit board in a direction perpendicular to first and secondfaces, the electric connector does not have a hole corresponding to thethrough hole, the supporter has a screw hole corresponding to thethrough hole in the main circuit board, the supporter being engaged withthe screw, and the electric connector is interposed between the maincircuit board and the supporter and clamped between the main circuitboard and the supporter by screwing the screw.
 12. The electronicapparatus according to claim 11, wherein the supporter includes firstand second pushing portions contacting an opposite face to a face onwhich the electric connector is provided, wherein the first and secondpushing portions closely contact an outside face of the connecter andthe supporting portion contacts three side faces of the connector tomount the connector on the main circuit board.